More Than Books

No Superheroes

Graphic Novels for Adults and Young Adults

Marjane Satrapi
Pantheon (2003)
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
This illustrated autobiography of a young woman growing up against the
backdrop of Iran's Islamic Revolution is an outstanding work of nonfiction.
Satrapi's minimalist drawings effectively communicate insightful truths
about politics, ideals, class-consciousness and youthful uncertainty
in a charming and engaging style. Despite the grim realities and historical
complexities Satrapi's story addresses, Persepolis abounds with humor
and thoughtful observation. Winner of the Alex Award.

Joe Sacco
Drawn & Quarterly (2003)
Fixer: A Story from Sarajevo
Reporter and comics artist Joe Sacco presents and illustrated novella
about the tragic and complex events that took place in Bosnia during
the early 1990s, when rebel Serb nationalists armed themselves against
a vulnerable, multi-ethnic Sarajevo. Telling his story through a "fixer"
by the name of Nevin, a resident Serb who helps foreign journalists
find the types of stories their editors are looking for (for a nominal
fee), Sacco narrates the sad, bloody, and fascinating recent history
of this war torn republic. Brilliantly illustrated.

Seth
Drawn & Quarterly (2004) Clyde
Fans: Book 1
Those acquainted with Seth know of his fascination with the past, and
the banal events and decisions of daily life that ultimately define
who we are. In Clyde Fans, Seth once again explores these pensive themes
trough the story of Abraham and Simon Matchcard, two brothers who attempt
to suppress their unsociable dispositions to master salesmanship for
the sake of their modest family business. The story is simply and beautifully
illustrated, creating a perfect mental landscape for the quiet self-reflection
it inspires.

Chester Brown
Drawn & Quarterly (1992)
The Playboy
This short story, from gifted writer and comics artist Chester Brown,
is a hilarious study in hormonally charged awkwardness and erratic self-loathing;
two themes nearly inherent to the coming-of-age process. In this story,
Brown travels back through time, to his own teenage years, and narrates
autobiographical scenes and sketches while incarnated as sarcastic fairy-like
observer. As his younger self becomes increasingly obsessed, enchanted
and tormented by the tawdry contents of Playboy magazine, Brown comically
comments on the embarrassment he felt about his own fascination and
the persistent paranoia that his growing collection would be discovered.
Highly amusing and perfectly ridiculous.

Seth
Drawn & Quarterly (2003)
It's A Good Life, If You Don't Weaken
Seth once again explores his dissatisfaction with the present and obsession
with the lessons of nostalgia in this autobiographical story. While
growing increasingly apathetic to the needs of those around him, Seth
engages in a seemingly futile quest to collect all of the published
gag cartoons penned by a single obscure cartoonist of the 1940s. As
Seth's unique obsession grows, questions arise about the cartoonist's
long-forgotten triumphs, failures, and life decisions, which ultimately
inspire Seth to engage in a quest to track the man down. This melancholy
story is smart and extraordinary.

Daniel Clowes
Fantagraphics Books (1998) Ghost
World
An engrossing story about uncertainty and alienation, Ghost World addresses
issues of self-identity and outgrowing adolescence in ironic, cynically
pleasing style. Enid and Rebecca are high school friends who become
increasingly alienated from one another as graduation looms and Enid
becomes increasingly reluctant to deal with the responsibilities of
adulthood and uncomfortable realities of impending change. Clowes is
a snappy writer that employs wit and subversive social commentary to
create hip and sweetly sad storylines.

Craig Thompson
Top Shelf (2003)

Blankets: An Illustrated Novel
This outstanding illustrated novel, weighing in at some 592 pages, couples
familiar teen issues such as self-discovery, isolation, and tests of
faith, with extraordinary drawings that brim with charm and emotion.
Thompson, the acclaimed author-illustrator of 1999's Good Bye, Chunky
Rice, presents an autobiographical coming-of-age story that explores
his fundamentalist Christian upbringing in rural Wisconsin, his complicated
first experiences with love, and his uncertain relationship with his
brother. Highly personal and emotionally honest.

Chester Brown
Drawn & Quarterly (2003)
Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography
This groundbreaking "biography" by comics artist Chester Brown, is a
true testament to the evolving nature of comics - and a notable achievement
for an author-illustrator previously concerned with more personal such
as unrequited love and sexual frustration. This is the story of Louis
Riel, a controversial revolutionary who led a brief insurgency against
the Canadian government in the 1800s, opposing its designs to forcibly
annex land belonging to Manitoba's half-Indian/half-French population,
the Métis. Oh, and all of this while believing he is a chosen prophet
of God. An amazing read.

Joe Sacco
Fantagraphics Books (2002) Palestine
This timely work, based on the artist's own experiences traveling through
Israel and the Palestinian refugee camps of the West Bank, is an absolute
triumph. Sacco's observations and illustrations make the war weary people
he encounters in this troubled land come to life, while exposing all-to-common
misconceptions and underscoring the profound suffering born out of the
region's infamous, ongoing conflict. His humor, honesty, and disarming
artistic ability make this graphic novel an enlightening and engaging
read. Critically acclaimed and highly praised.

Updated:09/17/2009

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